Thursday, June 13, 2013

Thunder Sings His Name

As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

“Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

Luke 19:36-40 NLT

I woke from a dead sleep. Two fleece blankets being ripped apart. The static like no other than that created by the dry air from a long winter. The sound was magnified by the thousands.

Thunder.

Even in my just-woken-by-a-crazy-sound state I knew I had never heard thunder like that before. I fell back to sleep quickly only to be awoken moments later by the next dragged out, static popping crash. The Bookworm and the Monster were both awake. I could hear Monster fussing so I went to him first. I covered him up and as I started to walk away,

"Mom, I'm scared."

In my 7 years of living this title of mom I have never had a child come to me during a storm. I am waiting for that middle of the night panic from waking to a storm and a child standing over you staring into the darkness of my room. It will happen. That night will come. Last night was the first time I had a child truly scared by a storm. I sat and talked with him and this verse was all I could think about. Creation shouts of his glory and beauty. If we keep our mouth shut the rocks will cry out!

"Monster, have you ever heard a rock talk? That would be so funny! The thunder is loud and sounds scary. It scared me but I think the thunder is talking right now telling us, 'God is AWESOME!'"

I prayed with him and then had a very similar conversation with the Bookworm. As I got back into bed I couldn't stop thinking about creation shouting his praises. When life is scary there is still hope all around us. When the thunder comes we still know his beauty.

Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! Sing to God—worship God! Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea, take the news of his glory to the lost, news of his wonders to one and all! For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs. His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap; Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags. God made the heavens— Royal splendor radiates from him, A powerful beauty sets him apart. Bravo, God , Bravo! Everyone join in the great shout: Encore! In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might. Bring gifts and celebrate, bow before the beauty of God, then to your knees—everyone worship! Get out the message—God Rules! He put the world on a firm foundation; He treats everyone fair and square. Let's hear it from Sky, with Earth joining in, and a huge round of applause from Sea. Let Wilderness turn cartwheels, Animals, come dance, put every tree of the forest in the choir— An extravaganza before God as he comes, as he comes to set everything right on earth, set everything right, treat everyone fair.

Psalm 96:1-13 MSG

Andi and Brad have been married since 2002. They have five squishers who keep them on their toes. She is a second generation home educator. In her spare time Andi creates and sells handmade goodies in her shop, Andi Gould Designs.